Popular People Carrier

THE Ford Transit that will be available in Malaysia in August is a proven workhorse with the necessary credentials.

Over seven million units of the Transit have been sold worldwide since it made its debut in 1965, primarily as a commercial van.

Today, the  fifth Transit that delivers a best-in-class combination of fuel economy, power and  passenger/cargo capacity, is available in Malaysia again, thanks to Ford Motor Company and Sime Darby Auto Connexion.

The Transit is essentially a value-for-money people carrier that can ferry the family, the grandparents and even a set of in-laws to a family function.

For RM146,888 (individual private registration), you can drive  this people carrier that has  room for  12 passengers and is powered by the dependable 2.2-litre Duratorq variable geometry turbo diesel engine which also serves the popular Ranger pick-up truck.

The Transit also comes as a high-roof panel van priced at RM139,888 (company commercial registration) for the tradesman.  Both Transits have a six-speed manual transmission.

The Duratorq engine that powers the Transit  is capable of  153hp and 385Nm of torque and has a payload capacity of 1,400kg.

A host of active and passive safety features are standard on the Ford Transit, such as electronic stability control, hill launch assist, emergency brake assist, anti-lock braking system, passive anti-theft system with engine immobiliser and dual front airbags.

The window van also has electronic stability control with brake traction control system.

Ford has complemented the Transit line of vans in Malaysia with a network of nine specialist commercial vehicle centres at existing Ford dealers, which have been upgraded to meet global standards.

The centres are in Petaling Jaya (SDAC), Kuala Lumpur (Trio Mantap, Ampang; Capital Intertrade, Damansara), Ipoh (SNS Kembara), Seremban (Trio Mantap), Kuantan (Sri Mutiara), Sibu (Sibu Ngu), Muar (Ang Trading) and Johor Baru (Auto Lumina).